Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Neoclassical design emerged in Europe in the 1750s, as the Age of Enlightenment reached full flower. Neoclassical furniture took its cues from the styles of ancient Rome and Athens: symmetrical, ordered, dignified forms with such details as tapered and fluted chair and table legs, backrest finials and scrolled arms.
Over a period of some 20 years, first in France and later in Britain, neoclassical design — also known as Louis XVI, or Louis Seize — would supersede the lithe and curvaceous Rococo or Louis XV style.
The first half of the 18th century had seen a rebirth of interest in classical antiquity. The "Grand Tour" of Europe, codified as a part of the proper education of a patrician gentleman, included an extended visit to Rome. Some ventured further, to sketch the ruins of ancient Greece. These drawings and others — particularly those derived from the surprising and rich archaeological discoveries in the 1730s and ’40s at the sites of the Roman cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum — caused great excitement among intellectuals and aesthetes alike.
Neoclassical furniture is meant to reflect both grace and power. The overall appearance of neoclassical chairs, tables and cabinetry is strong and rectilinear. These pieces are, in effect, classical architecture in miniature: chair and table legs are shaped like columns; cabinets are constructed with elements that mirror friezes and pediments.
Yet neoclassicism is enlivened by gilt and silver leaf, marquetry, and carved and applied ornamental motifs based on Greek and Roman sculpture: acanthus leaves, garlands, laurel wreaths, sheaves of arrow, medallions and chair splats are carved in the shapes of lyres and urns. Ormolu — or elaborate bronze gilding — was essential to French design in the 18th and 19th centuries as a cornerstone of the neoclassical and Empire styles.
As you can see from the furniture on these pages, there is a bit of whimsy in such stately pieces — a touch of lightness that will always keep neoclassicism fresh.
Find antique neoclassical furniture today on 1stDibs.
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Metal, Brass, Gold Plate
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Porcelain, Wood
2010s American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Oak
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Leather, Upholstery, Hardwood
1970s Vintage Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Iron, Gold Leaf
20th Century Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Iron
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Bronze
2010s Belgian Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Fabric
1950s French Vintage Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Metal, Brass
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Bronze
Early 1900s French Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass
Early 18th Century French Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Metal, Bronze, Other
1940s Italian Vintage Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass
20th Century American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Paper
20th Century Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wool, Angora
20th Century Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wool, Angora
Late 18th Century German Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Bronze, Other
2010s Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Bronze
18th Century Spanish Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Silver
20th Century Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wool, Cotton, Foam
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Bronze
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Creamware
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Bronze
20th Century Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass
2010s Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Bronze
18th Century European Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Silver
2010s Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Bronze
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Cotton
2010s Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Bronze
20th Century Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Bronze
Early 1900s German Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Silver
2010s American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Oak
2010s Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Bronze
Late 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Cotton
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Maple
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Gold Plate, Silver, Bronze
19th Century Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Alabaster
19th Century German Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Paper
Late 20th Century Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Plaster
20th Century American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Bronze
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wool
1960s French Vintage Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Copper
Early 1900s French Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Mahogany, Oak, Walnut
2010s American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Fabric, Wood
1990s Italian Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Paper
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Paper
21st Century and Contemporary North American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Cotton, Silk
Early 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Cotton
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass